World of Taroo

by Jimmy Eriksson

  Arobe and his guest came in through the door speaking about news around the world. The king could be quite intimidating and the merchant felt the sweat run down his back. When Arobe told him to speak, he first said he was sorry to bring the information he had. He then said what he had heard from the town’s people of Fengo that the prince was found dead close to the border between the lands. He was lying in the grass in an area that was surrounded by swamps and mountains. Arobe was sitting quietly and listened without a change to his face. He then asked the merchant how he knew that he was dead and not something that the people think. The merchant said he had seen the carriage that was carrying the prince inside of it.

  Prince Theran was driven to a guard station in the outskirts of the land and was being prepared to be treated for burial according to the soldiers he asked. They never said it was the prince, but the merchant said there were a lot of soldiers in the group, and it would likely be someone of importance rather than a common person. The king said he wanted to make sure and called in a man that had worked for him for many years. ‘Femil,’ he said and waved to a man who was now coming close to him.

  Femil stood in front and bowed his head to the king of Darcolia. Arobe said he required some information, and it needed to be obtained quickly. Femil was sent out immediately and rode towards the Grasoll land where he had been many times before. It would take him a couple of days to reach the town that was attacked, but when he did, he learnt that the prince was, indeed, there and was followed to the area were the swamps and fog was in plenty.

  Femil spoke with people at the different locations in the town and heard that someone had killed the prince and the dead prince had been brought to the station as the merchant said. When Femil was about to ride away, he heard something else. There was a soldier that had come to the town and was saying that King Lenchi was now too sick to rule and his daughter, now Queen Kemi was ruling the kingdom. He felt it was interesting information and continued towards the station.

  He got to the station after a half a day and scouted it from a distance. He knew he needed some information and found an opportunity when two soldiers came out and rode close to where he was hiding amongst some high rocks. As soon as the men rode by, he jumped up on one of the rocks and fired a crossbow that killed one of the men. He jumped down on the other man who had fallen off the horse. Femil brought a knife out and told the guard to tell him if the man brought to the station a couple of days ago were Theran. The soldier said it was true and begged for mercy, but Femil cut his throat and left him to die.

  Femil was fast on his horse and made his way to Darcolia. When he finally returned to the kingdom, he saw the king as he ordered some heavy machines that shot iron balls to be brought out. They were a new edition to the kingdom that had invested heavily on their engineers to come up with new technology. Arobe was far from the only one seeing the potential in how the technology would shape the future. Everyday then it seemed like there was a new invention, and he already knew his brother had created something that used the winds as help.

  The king saw Femil and learnt the truth about his son. He slammed his fist on one of the machines and said King Lenchi would pay for killing his son. Femil said the king was no longer in charge and it was now Kemi that ruled. Arobe looked at him and smiled since he didn’t have to meet the annoying King Lenchi again hopefully. Good, he thought and told Femil he might need him soon again. Arobe was quick and knew he had a chance to make the Darcolian kingdom raised itself up over the other kingdoms. He would not grieve his son until he had him in his arms again, he said to Hoseki who nodded silently. He set the plans in motion and for the coming time to bring the castle to be battle ready.

  Conflict

  Kemi was sitting and was realising how much work it was with being a ruler. She had to accommodate the people’s wishes that were being sometimes put to the side. She had asked Jay to make sure the soldiers were ready in case of a war, and he did his best to ready them. The men had no problem with taking orders from Jay as they knew what he had done and he had earned much respect amongst the soldiers as well as high officers for a long time.

  Gon was walking to the castle one day and asked to see him. Jay was busy and could not take the meeting but said he would come by the house later that night. He showed up as promised and Senji greeted him with some newly baked buns. They had just sold the restaurant to a man that offered a lot of money for it. Gon was sad to sell but also happy that he would have more time to spend with his family now. He felt he had done a lot of what he wanted, and with the two children running around, he wished to retire. Jay didn’t know and wondered where they were going to live as the house was part of the restaurant.

  ‘Heiwan village that is just outside of the walls of the kingdom,’ Senji told him and offered another bun. Jay knew the village was not yet finished so he asked when they would leave. Gon wished to leave as soon as the house was done so they could relax finally even if Gon would work sometimes in the royal kitchen. Senji wished to go for a walk to the house, and Jay was happy to come with them. They went to where Gon would show the house that was currently being built in the small village. He said it was almost done, and they would move in the next two weeks.

  Jay just realised that he hadn’t seen them for six months and apologised. They told him it was okay, and they knew he was busy especially now when the king was sick. Jay looked away towards the other houses that were somewhat ready. He didn’t want to lie to his friends but could not tell them that the king was forced out by his daughter. He changed the topic and wondered if they needed help with the moving. He would be able to send many soldiers to aid them, but Gon said no and thanked him for the offer.

  They continued walking in the village that was being built outside the kingdom walls, and Jay could imagine how it would look like. Heiwan village would have about 200 people living in it when it was ready. Jay knew the situation in the land was getting bad and asked Gon if he felt it to be safe enough when there was so much uncertainly in the land. Senji said they wanted to move out and had full faith in the capability of the kingdom to protect them. Besides, she said, there was a lot of warning for them as they would see any people come close and pointed to the top of a small hill that could be used to see over the land.

  Jay saw a forest person and asked why they were there. Gon said they were helping to get material to the village and would grow a small forest around the village. They had also created a hill and he pointed to it. Jay had yet to see the magic of the Alumrylite stone but had heard all about them so he was happy to finally witness it for himself. They spent more time together and then Jay went back with them to their restaurant. He said bye and the couple sat in the living room with the children that had fallen asleep next to the fire.

  Sophia held in her hand a flower made of fabric and Jay said he thought Senji had made it look very nice. She laughed and said it was actually her husband that had done it and Jay told Gon he had some talent he never knew about. Gon told him not to tease him or he won’t help a warm hat for him when the weather became colder. Jay apologised with a smile and said he would want it in blue. While they laughed, Senji told Gon she suddenly remembered something that she read long time ago. He asked her what and she said she bought a book in Shetana when they were there many years ago. She wondered where it was and tried to remember what it said inside. She said she thought the magic stone seemed familiar and that she had seen it before but in a book. Gon was looking interested and asked what she did with the book. Senji could not remember and she was annoyed since she couldn’t remember. She always thought the book was a child’s book, ‘But what if it was true,’ she said. Gon said perhaps it would show up when they moved. She agreed and reached for another book that was next to her. It had much of her notes inside about the abilities every plant could give if mixed right.

  Sophia sat tired and asked what her mother was looking at. Senji told Sophia to sit next to her and showed her a few of the plants and where they could be found.
She flipped through the book until Sophia asked about one of the plants that looked very strange. Senji told her that the flower blooms every 30 years and was highly dangerous for anyone coming too close to it. When asked why, she said that the flower somehow felt the vibrations from those who walked close enough. To protect itself and the seeds that it carried inside, it fires poisonous darts that could stun the victim and possibly cause death. It was a highly dangerous plant, but if the seeds were safely removed from the flower, it could create an elixir so powerful it could make whoever drank it invincible.

  Sophia tried to speak but was so tired then and was about to fall asleep. Senji kissed her on her forehead and asked Gon to take her. She brought Isabel to her bed and Gon took Sophia to her bed. The book she bought in Shetana was then forgotten again, and they soon moved into the new house to continue their lives as a family only with little worry. They had with them so many memories in forms of trophies that Gon acquired and several souvenirs from the trips. The old wagon from the great city of Shetana was still working great and was standing next to the house.

  A Son Comes Home

  Arobe had still not heard anything from Kemi, and it was just what she had tried to avoid. She had told as few people as possible the truth even if she knew it was just a matter of time before Arobe learnt who was responsible for Prince Theran’s death. She made sure to spread a false rumour that the prince was actually killed by bandits in a failed hostage attempt. She also spread the word that the prince was still alive and was currently being held by some bandits. It was important no one truly knew and much misinformation was floating around so she could plan for her next move. It was important for the future that no one let Arobe know for sure his son was dead.

  Meanwhile, in the Darcolian kingdom, the king was fully aware of what had happened and had a plan to get his son back. He would reach out to Kemi and ask for help to find his son, and then when she believed he knew nothing, he would be able to put his plan into play. Hoseki, who worked for his family, had left for Redonia and had given a lot of information to Arobe. Before Hoseki left for the port town of Gemcorr to take the ship back, he told Arobe to be careful of people he surrounded himself with. Arobe believed he could trust those he needed but knew Hoseki was a wiser man than many others.

  The king sat and had just received a letter from his brother in Redonia who was telling him that he was welcome to his troops if need be. Arobe said he needed no help and crushed the paper in his hand. He told his advisors to let the campaign begin.

  Kemi heard a knocking on the door, and she was shown a letter that was delivered to the castle on a bird from Darcolia. She read it and she was overjoyed about the king asking her to aid him to find out what happened to his son. She assembled the advisors and officers and asked them about the next step. She said it was only a matter of time until Arobe found out the truth. They would have to put a plan of attack if they were supposed to get the upper hand.

  One officer said that perhaps the king knew, and he might play the same game as them. Kemi already thought about that but was hoping that the king thought the prince was captured and was held in the dungeon at worst. With all the misinformation out there, she hoped Arobe believed his son was still alive. Her whole tactic was building that the king would try to negotiate a truce and then she would blame the death of his son on rogue bandits that attacked the carriage carrying the prince back to the kingdom. She could only go by the letter and would have to send a response that could make him say what he knew.

  Before she could send a response, Arobe had already planned an attack from Darcolia and would bring with him a large scale force that was enough to take down the station. He had sent several soldiers ahead of him that made sure his movements were not seen until the station was close. The soldiers had spread out and would meet at the station when the time was ready. Kemi sent a new letter that reached the kingdom of Darcolia soon after. The letter was brought up to Arobe and it said that his son had been accused of killing many people and would be captured to be brought to justice. It said he needed to travel to the Grasoll land to ensure peace between the two kingdoms.

  Arobe told the assistant to write a letter saying that he would travel in four days with the intent of creating peace. He sent the bird away and ordered the remaining men to leave with him to the station. Kemi got the letter and told her high officers to get ready to leave for the outskirts of the land and met the king where they would confront him. They got ready and awaited Kemi’s command to leave anytime she desired. Arobe was already at the Grasoll land and crossed the border. There were several outposts of small groups of soldiers.

  Arobe saw that they were surprised and let them run as he only wanted his son back. Some of the Grasoll kingdom’s soldiers rode up and demanded they stop to explain why they had come inside the land. Arobe did a hand gesture, and the soldiers that were standing in front of them then lay dead from the arrows shot by the bowmen. The army never stopped but then the station came up, and the soldiers inside quickly sent word to the castle about the enemy. Arobe was almost at the station when he halted the army that had assembled. He had no time to play around and sent a messenger out demanding the prince be brought out or they would take down the station.

  There were about 90 soldiers in the station and Arobe had 500 soldiers with him. They knew the odds were not with them, and the high officer asked for some time to get permission from the castle. When Arobe heard about the favour, he sent his rock throwing machines up to the front that he had brought with him. Without hesitation, he ordered several rocks to be shot that hit the station hard. The high officer in charge got killed and the soldiers inside made the decision to fight until the rescue could come. Arobe kept firing, and the soldiers in the station replied with arrows. The arrows, however, did not do much of a damage and it was too far for effective hits.

  Arobe’s soldiers were amongst the most skilled warriors and held their shields up to defend against the arrows with only a few hitting them. The attack went on for an hour, and then Arobe stopped the rock throwing machines since the ammunition had finally run out. Just to keep it going, he ordered piles of smaller rocks to be placed and then finally stopped. His aim was to terrorise and bring as much destruction as possible which he then believe he had.

  The station was badly damaged and he could have stopped earlier but found it better to continue. Further away in the land of Grasoll, the bird carrying the message about Arobe being at the station had found its way to the castle finally. And Kemi was not slow to respond with sending out her soldiers. She blamed herself as she fell for the trick and wondered if the king would bring down the station before they had come. Arobe wasted no more time and stood his troops up on rows. He told them to bring him his son and they all walked towards the station. Only 56 soldiers were still alive in the badly damaged station as walls had fallen down over many of them.

  Arobe’s warriors had no problem with bringing down the doors as they were half broken and soon much army came in the station. Some soldiers still tried to fight but got taken down by the attacking army that was hungry for combat. The whole attack was over soon and when Arobe entered the station, only three of his men were dead with some wounded. The soldiers had already started to search through the station and soon found Theran who had been embalmed to preserve him. He was carried out and the king looked upon his son then lying in front of him. Not a word was said from him as he saw his only son lie dead before him. He turned around and told them to bring the prince to the carriage they had brought. The soldiers all left and would have good time to get away before anyone who set their foot there.

  The battle had been over for a while before anyone of the soldiers from the Grasoll land had arrived at the station. They found the dead people inside and the prince gone. In an attempt to take revenge on their comrades, they all set out to the Darcolia land. But Arobe had come far and was soon back inside the castle of Darcolia without anyone catching up to him. He had made sure that anyone coming close would
feel the full wrath of his army. He had placed those that fought this day on a line outside the thick wall protecting the kingdom further away from the castle.

  The Grasoll lands army never ventured inside the Darcolia lands as there was no strategic plan of attack. Much of the Darcolia was still in question despite both kingdoms once being friends. There had been much change and since the king kept a tight grip on visitors, rarely people from Grasoll had even been inside of the walls. Those that Kemi sent to find out what weaknesses Darcolia held had all disappeared. After realising that the attackers would not be reached, the Grasoll soldiers returned back to the castle. Kemi got anxious and wondered how she could have been so blind. She realised that King Arobe must have known about it all along and had to bring her advisors together again. She got a letter five days after the attack of the station. Arobe wrote the peace had then been broken, and she could look forward to more conflict between them.

  Take Away a Smile

  Arobe was standing in front of his son’s coffin. He looked at the altar that had his son’s remains in it. Throughout his life, he never cared too much about Theran and was always busy. He thought that his son was lazy and always took the easy way out. He was not the best behaved man growing up, and at several times, he had to take care of the mistakes his son did. Standing next to the altar made him mad, and he suddenly felt remorse that he never had time for him. He slammed his fist on the altar cursing the Grasoll kingdom for what they had done and called for the priest in the room to lower the altar into the ground. He left the room which was located in the late prince’s room and headed back to his throne room.